SLIDESHOW: Incredible images of thoroughbred racehorses, taken by artist Ripley, go on display in Newmarket

Stunning photographs of thoroughbred racehorses have been on display in a Newmarket gallery.

The Jockey Club played host to Ripley, a fine art photographer, in his first exhibition at the gallery and in the world premier of his exhibition on Thoroughbred Racehorse portraiture.

The artist has also photographed celebrity portraits and car marques, before he transferred his skills to photographing thoroughbred racehorses.

A total of 14 large scale artworks went on display at The Jockey Club during July Festival.

The exhibition also debuted an exclusive portrait of “one of the greatest” National Hunt racehorses – Big Buck’s.

He added: “Big Buck’s is one of my three favourites. The other two are Racehorse on Newmarket Heath with a Rubbing Down House and Racehorse in an English Landscape.

“I also like the picture of the horse in New York because it’s just not what you expect to see.”

His photographs pay tribute to English painters Sir Alfred Munnings, J F Herring and George Stubbs, who portrayed horses in Newmarket during the late 18th century.

And while he works to keep the “classical equine art feel”, the artist uses “cutting edge technology” meaning every hair of the racehorse can be seen.

A spokesperson from The Jockey Club said: “Using this method he is able to combine both the reality that photography achieves along with the freedom to compose the image as would a traditional artist.

“The resulting large canvases almost look like paintings, yet everything in them is real.

“The Jockey Club Rooms house one of the most distinguished collections of horse racing art in Britain, and to see Ripley’s stunning portraits sitting alongside masterpieces by these esteemed painters was a surreal experience.

“Whilst complementing the imagery of the past, they appeared hyperreal and almost 3D.”

Ripley hopes to return to Newmarket for another exhibition next year, using photographs of local racehorses.